GRAND HAVEN, MI – After years of sailing through the channel to the port of Grand Haven as a part of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, the arrival of the Coast Guard ships is personal for North Muskegon resident Tracy Oomen.

For years, Oomen was one of many Coast Guard officials who rode from Lake Michigan through the channel to the port of Grand Haven – one of many duties she held within her volunteer position with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Since having her daughter Faith, 2, Oomen has not been able to participate as a part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, sidelined to watch the ships near the channel.

But despite a changing role in the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Oomen said she continues to recognize how the arrival of the ships shines a light on the work being done by the United States Coast Guard.

"Well, obviously, it's good for the economy but I think it's a good tradition for families," Oomen said. "I'm going to continue the tradition in the family for me and (Faith) and be a volunteer again."

Braving winds and temperatures much too chilly for July, Oomen was one of hundreds of people lining the Grand Haven channel Monday to welcome a parade of Coast Guard ships to the area as a part of the festival.

Festival attendees now will have opportunities throughout the remainder of the festival to tour the ships docked at Escanaba Park with the first tours offered Monday from 6-8 p.m.

Festival marketing director Annie Lengkeek said weather hampered the amount of ships in the parade Monday afternoon. However, she said the amount of people welcoming the ships to Grand Haven was a symbol of the appreciation the area has for the United States Coast Guard.

"We like to make it a parade but I'll be honest because normally we have a couple more ships in it but it's all weather permitting," Lengkeek said. "Today was a little rough out there but it just kind of signifies the work of the Coast Guard and military and we just want to honor them."

Festivalgoers of all ages lined the channel to welcome the ships, some standing on nearby rocks and cheering; others positioned in a chair with a drink in hand.

Spring Lake residents Todd and Jessica Rogalski were in attendance with their children hanging around the area to commemorate the event. Though they said they've brought their family to town for several years for the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Jessica said seeing the boats sail into Grand Haven was a new experience.

"This is our first time coming to watch the boats so it was special to watch them come in and the kids liked it," Rogalski said. "It was a fun thing, especially with the huge waves and watching them get knocked around a little bit."